Stupidity risks lives as owners leave dogs in hot cars

13 Jan 2010

Dogs are being left in hot cars throughout WA despite the risks to the animals who can die from heat stress within minutes.

The RSPCA is receiving around three reports every day from concerned citizens about dogs being left in cars in hot days as well as from large retail outlets who, anecdotally, suggest the problem is very real, particularly at weekends.

The RSPCA will not tolerate the idiocy of dog owners who leave their animals in hot cars while they go shopping and if the dog is harmed as a result there may be a case to prosecute under the Animal Welfare Act WA 2002 which carries a maximum penalty of either $50,000 or five years imprisonment.

"There is simply no excuse for this sort of stupidity" said Richard Barry, spokesman for the RSPCA in Western Australia. "Would you leave a child in a baking hot car while you nip into a shop for your groceries? The sheer volume of calls we're getting in right now is mind boggling and there is no doubt an animal will die this summer because his idiot of an owner has left him to boil in a car. If and when that happens, that person could face prosecution with the potential of a $50,000 fine and/or 5 years jail time."

The Facts

• The temperature inside a closed vehicle left in the sun can double within twelve minutes. (vehicles warm up and retain heat).

• An animal will suffer immeasurably and may die before the temperature reaches 55º Celsius. However vehicle temperatures can reach 73º Celsius and above.

• If you have to leave the animal for a short time, leave them secured in a safe area with access to shade and water and ideally with a responsible person.

• While the car is moving, make sure the animal is receiving sufficient ventilation, (windows down safely or air conditioning) and that they are adequately restrained

• Leaving car windows down on an unattended vehicle will not necessarily prevent a car from reaching extreme temperatures.

• Tray back utilities can get extremely hot.

• Animals shouldn't be transported on the back of utes, but if they are they must be secured and be standing on something that does not conduct heat: a towel or some newspaper - as their paws can be blistered from the metal on a ute's tray.

• Dogs tied up unattended outside a car or building may be a risk to the public and may be exposing the animal to cruelty, theft and weather conditions.

• You may also be in breach of local council laws.

Warning Signs and Symptoms

• Increased Respiration

• Redness of the gums

• Distressed, frantic behaviour

• Convulsions

• Coma

• Profuse salivation, vomiting and diarrhoea

Even if the animal is revived, they can die a week or so later due to internal injuries.

 

How to treat hyperthermia and heat stroke:

• Cool the animal’s body down immediately. For the animal to survive heat stroke, aim to reduce its body temperature to 39º Celsius within 30 - 60 minutes. This can be achieved by:

• Gently hosing down the animal (easiest and most accessible method for most people).

• Placing ice bags between the back legs or on the jugular vein (on side of neck).

• Packing cool towels and ice packs in arm pits and stomach areas where there is little or no fur.

• Head cooling - eg with cold water, cool sponge, wet towel.

• Massaging extremities will increase blood flow and allow better cooling.

• Covering the body with a wet towel in the path of a fan.

Until an animal has been sufficiently cooled down, placing it directly into a hot car for vet treatment may further risk the animal’s life. Each case is different and needs to be assessed accordingly. Although animals are generally not allowed in shopping centres due to health regulations, in an emergency - take the initiative. A cool, air-conditioned shopping centre and toilets with access to water could help save the animal's life.

It is vital to get the animal to a veterinarian following initial first aid treatment to reduce body temperature.